Petition To End One-on-One Interviews Between Mormon Bishops And Children Has 12,000 Signatures

A petition campaign that seeks to stop a longstanding practice of the Mormon Church to hold one-on-one interviews between bishops and children has collected nearly 12,000 signatures.

At a news conference Thursday, the leader of a group called Protect LDS Children said they will present the petition in March at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ downtown Salt Lake City headquarters.

The concern over the interviews includes the range of questioning, which can include sexual questions, and the group also insists that a parent be present during the interviews.

The LDS Church issued a lengthy statement on the matter in December, stating that these interviews are an “important part of ministering.”

Our journalism speaks for itself, and we answer only to you. That’s thanks to the 11,000 members of Nevada Public Radio. Each of them made a small commitment and became members of Nevada Public Radio. They didn’t have to — but because they did, you are here now. So we extend a hand and say, “Come join us!”